Painful Swallowing: Symptoms

What other symptoms might occur with painful swallowing?

Painful swallowing may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Symptoms that frequently affect the digestive tract may also involve other body systems.

Gastrointestinal symptoms that may occur along with painful swallowing

Painful swallowing may accompany other symptoms affecting the gastrointestinal system including:

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• Bad breath
• Choking
• Foul or sour taste in the mouth
• Heartburn
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Reflux (backflow) of food
• Regurgitation

Other symptoms that may occur along with painful swallowing

Painful swallowing may accompany symptoms related to other body systems including:

• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever and chills
• Unexplained weight loss

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, painful swallowing may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

• Bloody stool (blood may be red, black, or tarry in texture)
• Choking
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting blood or black material (resembling coffee grounds)